Beginning in the sixteenth century, our world became smaller and faster. This period of history, the Age of Discovery, took Europeans to the New World and beyond. This occurred through Innovations in shipbuilding and navigation. This led to the spread of information, especially through the printing press, which accelerated the pace of life, trade cycles, and societal change.[1] This growth has continued through industrialization and the steam engine, bringing about mass production along with the railroad.[2] All of this leads us to our society today, where communication is even faster through the World Wide Web.[3] Therefore, by all accounts, we live in a world that demands instant results. Because of this, societal progress from the sixteenth century to today has created a world where we do not like to wait. When we do wait, we become frustrated, angry, or discouraged, and this does not help anyone, including ourselves.
Although this is true, it is not how God works. For anything to grow into something of value, it takes time, and this is what Jesus is trying to say in his parables.
Think about the farmer who planted wheat while his enemy planted weeds, which most likely was darnel, a poisonous weed that in its early stage of growth resembles wheat. Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish wheat from darnel as it grows. However, darnel would change in time and be more recognizable as a weed. Unfortunately, when recognized, it would be too late to separate because the darnel roots and the roots of the wheat become tangled.
The best thing the farmer could do is apply wisdom and be patient, allowing both to grow until harvest, where the wheat and darnel’s separation could occur without losing too much wheat. Therefore, by slowing down and taking time to analyze such situations, true transformation occurs, which brings about life.
Take, for instance, a fable attributed to Aesop:
For weeks and weeks, there had been no rain. The streams and pools had dried to dust, and all the animals were thirsty. Two crows, flying together in search of water, spotted a pitcher that had been left on a garden wall. They flew to it and saw that it was half full of water. But neither one could reach far enough inside the pitcher’s narrow neck to get a drink. “There must be a way to get that water,” said the first crow. “If we think it through, we’ll find an answer.” The second crow tried to push the pitcher over, straining with all his might. But it was too heavy to budge. “It’s hopeless!” he croaked and flew away to look for water elsewhere. However, the first crow stayed by the pitcher and thought, and after a time, the crow had an idea. Picking up some pebbles in his beak, he dropped them one by one into the pitcher until at last the water rose to the brim. Then the clever bird happily quenched his thirst.[4]
This is the idea found in all of the parables given by Jesus, for all in time display transformation or change, but only if one remains patient. The seed grows slowly, transforms, and becomes wheat used for food. The Mustard seed, like the wheat, grows slowly, transforms the land, and gives shelter to animals and birds. The Yeast, likewise, takes time to expand and transforms the dough into bread. In each case, this transformation gives us a wholesome outlook on life. Because through this transformation, growth occurs that enhances one’s life, but only if one remains patient, allowing the transformation to occur.
Therefore, transformation has two outcomes: it either corrupts us or it makes us whole, but whatever the case may be, continued transformation occurs in some way every day of our lives. Yet, we must remember that this process takes time, it occurs slowly, and many times, we are not even aware that change is occurring. Because whatever allows us to change, such as the yeast in the dough, does so completely, either for good or for evil.
If guided by the world and its values, we become corrupt, for the world teaches us that we should follow our desires, those things that make us happy no matter what the cost, but is this wise? On the other hand, if we allow God into our lives, through his Church, through frequent reception of the sacraments, by praying and reading spiritual works, a transformation occurs as we patiently grow into the image of God one day at a time into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, as we navigate the chaotic world, let us slow down, be patient, and be wise by living the virtues so that transformation can help us grow and move us closer to God.
[1] https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/sciencetechnologyandsociety/chapter/the-age-of-exploration/
[2] https://www.iqsdirectory.com/resources/the-industrial-revolution.html
[3] https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/arts-and-humanities/resources/the-evolution-of-communication-technology/
[4] https://aesopsstories.blogspot.com/2012/01/crow-and-pitcher_17.html?fbclid=IwAR3yyIrwo8KHY88mFVhpCDVsakNFmUZZzP1xO_y_mcBtvEgCmxOkow-3ndU
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Mustard_Seed#/media/File:Teachings_of_Jesus_5_of_40._parable_of_the_mustard_seed._Jan_Luyken_etching._Bowyer_Bible.gif
Today’s Spiritual Links for July 18, 2026
National Eucharistic Review
Today’s Mass Readings
Today’s Reflection
Rosary
Liturgy of the Hours
New American Bible
Non-Scriptural Reading
Prime Matters
